The ordinance also bans fires, propane tanks, and parking oversized vehicles on public property.

The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners approved a camping ordinance amendment on Tuesday brought forth by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

The ordinance amends Washoe County Code Chapter 50 (Public Peace, Safety and Morals) and Chapter 70 (Vehicles and Traffic).

The ordinance will ban camping on county-owned property and public places within one thousand feet of the Truckee River.

In addition to camping, it would ban fires, propane tanks and parking any oversized vehicles on public property.

However, during the commission meeting, there was plenty of people opposing the ordinance.

Public comment lasted almost two hours before they went into consent items.

There were only a few people that voiced their support.

After the motion passed, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office reiterated their goal.

"Not a whole lot is going to change," said Chief Deputy Corey Solferino, WCSO. "This is an ordinance that we did to give our HOPE team that is out there dealing with our unhoused population on a daily basis a tool to push that small demographic of individuals that are service resistant towards to services."

The cities of Reno and Sparks have already enacted similar ordinances.

Solferino says this will make it easier for the different jurisdictions to work with one another.

"We do believe that this is a tool for consistency in the region where we can all be on the same page and have a fighting chance," Solferino said. 

The Sheriff's Office says this will help to direct homeless people to resources, but some think it's adding more to the problem.

"Our tax dollars here in Washoe County would be much better spent coming up with solutions and housing for folks than paying for putting people in jail," said Jackie Reilly.

"When you're now a criminal because your poor, what kind of society do we live in?" asked Pam Gormly.

"The ordinance is punitive," said Bill Miller. "We are punishing people who are already down, and we are just kicking them."

Solferino said that the decision was bittersweet.

He said these are difficult conversations to have.

The ordinance allows many steps to take place before an arrest is made.

You can view them below:

a. Provide the suspect with a warning and a reasonable opportunity to comply. If the person refuses, then:

b. A written warning will be issued to advise the individual of the violation and services will be provided to the extent necessary to provide housing options for them. 

c. If the person who received the written warning is contacted a second time (in 12 months) within the illegal camping zone, a second violation will be documented in the call for service and a case manager will be assigned to follow up with the individual.

d. If the person who received the written warning is contacted a third time (in 12 months) within the illegal camping zone, a third violation will be documented in the call for service and a formal citation will be issued in accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes and Washoe County Code routed through Community Court, if available, as the primary court of jurisdiction.

e. If the person who received the formal citation is contacted a fourth time (in 12 months) within the illegal camping zone, written warnings were provided, case management was offered, and a formal citation was issued, as a last and final resort an arrest can be made to facilitate the need for services.

Before voting in favor of the motion, Chair Alexis Hill said that nothing is set in stone forever, and she would like to see the updates from the ordinance in a year.